Member Reviews

This cute and quick read follows a couple who meet on their island escape, a Maui resort. They agree to not talk about their lives “back home” and instead enjoy their brief time together. Neither expected to catch feelings and grow attached. What unfolds is a story that won’t deliver world peace or shake your belief in deep issues. It will make your heart happy and let your mind vacation for a bit. This is the second book in a series but is easily read as a standalone.

This is described as a “steamy” contemporary romance buuuuut I didn’t find it that steamy. Maybe my brain has been battered by too many highly descriptive romance books lately. Is that even possible?🧐 Nahhhh.🤪

I received a complimentary advance copy of this title from the publisher. All comments and opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book. At first I wasn't sure about the lying and keeping things from each other but then again it was supposed to be just a few days fling while on vacation. Neither one were in relationships and they had agreed no personal info. So there wasn't anyone to hurt except for themselves. Emily is a lawyer and the one thing she learned from her husband's death was life is short so don't wait until the timing is right for things to do.
I didn't like that once they found each other and the feelings were real then they should have come right out and tell how their spouses died and Drew should have just blurted out I have 2 children. I do get where they were coming from and each had their reasons and Drew did TRY to come clean but I really did enjoy getting to know these 2 and their lives.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Maui is a beautiful place to vacation. It is the perfect destination to relax, consume a Mai Tia or two, and soak up the tropical ambiance. A romantic fling is another way to spend time on the island, which is what happens when carpenter Drew Whitney, and attorney Emily Thomas, meet in the hallway of their respective hotel rooms. They find each other extremely attractive and as a result, spend a wonderful week indulging in lust and carefree adventures. While making new memories with each other, they agree to live in the moment and keep their personal lives to themselves. When their time together ends, they agree to disappear from each other's lives.

Emily is a widow and has not been in a relationship since her husband passed away four years ago. She has yet to let go of the past, and feels guilty about finding love again. Emily and a colleague recently opened their own law firm in Sacramento, and the old Victorian home is need of some updating. Drew is a widower with two beautiful young children. Coincidentally, he and his family live in walking distance from Emily's home, and he ends up being hired to redesign Emily's new law offices. They are beyond shocked to see each other again. Overtime, as their respective pasts are discovered, their fling evolves into much more. However, their omissions may be too difficult to overcome.

Accidental Lies is the second book from Dana Mason's Accidental Love series. It is a sexy read with well developed characters. I formed an immediate connection with Emily and Drew, in addition to the secondary characters. Drew's six-year-old daughter is a real cutie and Emily's best friend is quite excitable. I enjoyed this lustful and slightly emotional book.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Was this review helpful?

*** 3.5 Stars ***

In Accidental Lies, Mason creates a story full of emotion and depth that highlights the importance of honesty, trust, and communication. Readers are put through a rollercoaster of emotions; your heart will be broken and put back together again as two characters who have experienced significant loss find love again.

Mason skillfully creates two real and engaging characters who are only more authentic for their flaws and struggles. You could feel the chemistry between Drew and Emily; it fairly flew off the pages. I loved Drew’s honesty about his feelings and his ability to read Emily and know what she needed. Even when I was frustrated with her, I was in awe of Emily’s strength and ability for self-reflection.

Although an enjoyable read, it was difficult to not become frustrated with Drew and Emily at times; their inability and refusal to communicate became tiresome. Emily was particularly frustrating as she repeatedly makes assumptions based on things Drew says without letting him share fully. She wanted to stay in their bubble without letting real life intrude but once it did, jumped to conclusions without giving Drew a chance to explain. Emily eventually realizes her mistakes, but her stubbornness and refusal to listen could be irritating. Even so, I did truly fall in love with both characters.

All in all, this was a good book worth reading.

*** 3.5 Stars ***

Was this review helpful?

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book started out so, so good! I was immediately sucked in! It also ended really, really great and satisfying. The middle took me a bit to get through. It was drawn out and did not keep my attention all that well, but I am glad that I stuck with it because the ending was so good! I love how the two met and then coincidentally run into to each other after their fling vacation! Really good story about loss, acceptance and being able to find love again. I would read it again for sure.

Was this review helpful?

3.5 stars

Fun, insta-love story! Emily and Drew has great chemistry and were super hot together. The whole miscommunication thing got old after a while though. It’s one of my biggest pet peeves in books, but this wasn’t as frustrating as some others that I’ve read. It definitely kept me engaged and I loved the ending.

Was this review helpful?

When I saw the summary for Accidental Lies I thought it looked right up my alley. The fact that it was set in Hawaii also made me get some Unhoneymooners feelings for it. However, only about half of the book is set on the island, and when it got time for the two lovers to leave that's where the book started to lose me.

I think part of the reason it starts to lose me is the miscommunication between the two characters was just so frustrating. Also, Emily is mad at a guy she goes on a few dates with for not listening to her, but she does the same thing to Drew and it was so freaking annoying. Her stubbornness and to just have everything her way kind of annoyed me.

I think another thing, and it might not be just this book's fault but on me for reading too many similar books, the book has a romance trope that isn't my favorite. I'm not spoiling it here, but it does one of these and it becomes this huge plot point of conflict. It also just didn't make sense to me, so that annoyed me.

I really wanted these two to get together, but it did feel like it took forever. I loved the beginning when they were in Hawaii but once they got out of it, it turned into this really angsty book.

This one was just okay for me, but maybe I would have liked it better had a read it between less romance books.

*I received an eARC copy of this second look book via Netgalley and the publisher Bookouture publishing. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I've got a new addiction! And it's totally Dana Mason's books. I read and loved Accidental Groom, so I knew I would love Accidental Lies too, so that wasn't a surprise at all.

This is Drew and Emily's story, two broken-hearted widowers who are both looking to find an outlet in their lives. They meet in Maui, and create this pretty hefty pact to keep everything between them casual... other than having hot sex of course. In turn, they can't discuss anything about their personal lives. What starts out as a little steamy fun fast turns into something neither of them ever expected: a real connection. It's an up and downhill battle between them from that point on, and let me tell you... the ANGST. It nearly killed me, but in a good way, of course.

I loved this story, plain and simple. Casual flings turning into more is one of my favorite romance tropes in romance, and Dana Mason took it to a whole other level in Accidental Lies, breaking my heart, only to piece it back together in the end. Fabulous story I can't recommend enough.

Was this review helpful?

Accidental Lies by Dana Mason is a romantic comedy, that I really enjoyed. First of all I loved the cover, makes me want to rush to Maui. Emily and Drew meet in Maui while each are on vacations alone. They are looking for a fling only, so they make a pack to not talk about their lives off the island. This book is predictable because when the truth comes up later, they get angry because they were not told something. If you are looking for a fun summertime romance to read, I highly recommend this book. I will be reading more by this author.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you.

Was this review helpful?

Accidental Lies is the second book I have read from Dana Mason and it did not disappoint! I really enjoyed Emily and Drew's story (for the most part). This book was well-written and the characters definitely drew me in at the beginning. I really love stories that have the characters starting out as a fling.

I found myself really rooting for Emily and Drew, but I also found myself getting annoyed with them at times. I know they agreed to not talk about their lives outside of Maui. I did not like all of the deception even if they felt justified. This, however, was not a deal-breaker for me and did not keep me from enjoying the story! Overall I thought this was a very good book. If you are looking for a quick beach read, look no further!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Was this review helpful?

This book has everything I look for in a romance novel, and it was a great reminder that I need to read more romance!

This book was an enjoyable reading experience for me. I was staying up late to read more, rooting for the characters, and looking forward to the happily ever after. I really enjoyed how this story was told, how the characters were developed, and the depth that each character shared. The twists felt believable and I’m definitely going to read more from this author because it was such a fun read.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance novels that take their time to build characters, backstories, and motivations before diving into the sex scenes. I think this is a very well-rounded story with plenty of character development. It takes its time to build up the romance and navigate the relationship along with a complexity that I appreciated.

Was this review helpful?

This is a story of two people both of whom's spouse died some years ago but they have struggled to move on. Emily is a lawyer who has used her job to distract her but her brother, Mac, has sent her on holiday to Maui, arranging things for her to do to ensure she gets to live a little whilst she's there. Drew is now a single Dad with two children who spends three weeks every year at the same resort whilst his children stay with their maternal grandparents. He has tried dating again but most women run when they discover he is a single Dad.


Fate brings this pair together.  The attraction is mutual and they agree to have a holiday fling and, after confirming they really are both single, they make a pact not to discuss anything about their pasts. That's fine whilst they are on holiday but the attraction between them grown, could this be more than a very steamy holiday romance? Emily is adamant about not exchanging more information so, when the two go their separate ways, they have no way to get back in touch with each other..... It is such a great job that fate will intervene again - but you need to read it yourself to discover just what happens!


This is one of those stories where if only the two main characters would talk to each other and listen to what the other has to say, so much angst would have been avoided! However, that wouldn't make a very good story, would it? So, this is really a story about learning to give your partner time to talk and to listen to what they have to say - and being honest with each other and not telling lies, not even by omission! It is an engaging read and works well as a standalone. I discovered there's an earlier book in the series after finishing this one but the author provides plenty of background information as the story progresses so you don't feel you're missing something important if, like me, you haven't read the earlier book. 


I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.

Was this review helpful?

First of all I think we should take a moment to take a look at the cover of this book, if that doesn’t tickle your fancy then your missing out on one hell of a treat! The cover actually sold it to me, another one of many books that I didn’t bother to read the blurb. But crikey that guy is HOT! and the author certainly doesn’t disappoint either…..

This book took me back me five years to the time when I started reviewing and if you didn’t already know, I used to review this genre all the time. So I knew exactly what to expect a love story with some hot and steamy scenes.

What I didn’t expect was to full totally in love with Emily and Drew and follow them on an overwhelming journey about love and secrets.

I started this in the morning and finished it at dinner time, I honestly couldn’t but it down. The story is told in alternates between Emily and Drew’s story.taking the reader on a roller coaster ride where I could feel very emotion the character goes through….From happiness and excitement, to some heart breaking moments. That totally pulled at my heart strings and actually brought tears to my eyes! What can I say but WOW what a story!

There is so much I want to say about this story but I don’t want to give the plot away. Accidental Lies will certainly keep you on your toes and guessing while the story unravels. I loved this story so much that I have downloaded Accidental Groom. Dana Mason is certainly an author to look out for.

I cannot recommend it enough giving it all the stars!

Thank you to Kim Nash at Bookouture for the blog tour invite.

Was this review helpful?

My brother arranged a week in paradise for me, after the horrible four years I’ve had. After losing my husband, my life has been a fog. So I guess this vacation in Maui is what I need. However, it didn’t start out well. I lock myself out of my room, but then this handsome man comes to my rescue. When we run into each other at the Luau that same evening, I get shit face drunk! This could really have turned out so wrong for me. Thank goodness he’s a gentleman since he put me to bed in my room. Now we are spending every minute together, but we have one rule, don’t talk about who we are or what we do. This is an island fling only. What happens in Maui stays in Maui. Why does it feel like it could be so much more.

Drew takes three weeks off every year just to unwind, and Maui is the perfect spot to do that. After losing his wife, his two children have become his reason for living. Meeting the beautiful Emily was the best surprise. He’s never met anyone like her and their chemistry is off the charts. As her week comes to an end, he’s regretting the stupid rule they made. Drew wants to see where this goes when they return home. He doesn’t even know where she lives!

Now that he’s back in Sacramento, Drew is determined to find Emily, but first he needs to meet with his new clients. Whoa the last person Drew figured he would see is her! She’s his new client and he can’t believe his luck. Things aren’t all roses, thou, Emily is still hiding something and he’s determined to find out what it is. Now that he’s found her, Drew is never letting her go!

I could not put this book down! The story line, the characters, everything was perfect.

Was this review helpful?

This really could not hold my attention. I ended up skipping a great deal of the book. I just wanted to see how they could end up together after lying throughout the whole book. I liked the beginning, but then it just bogged down and I started to really not care. I just couldn’t really get involved with the characters. Their pettiness, overreactions, lies, and misunderstandings frustrated me more then understanding them. The book was just not for me.

Received a copy from the publisher for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely adored this book, and I couldn't put it down. Not only could I not put it down, it was so immersive that I sat down to read it and next thing I knew a few hours had passed and I had finished it! If you're looking for a great summer read, this is it!

I immediately connected with Emily from the second sentence on; "To me, a getaway doesn't include hundreds of other people." Same Emily, same. And speaking as someone who has had a similar "ma'am incident", she's an incredibly real and relatable character! She and Drew had great chemistry from the very beginning and each had distinctive voices when reading from the different perspectives. I also really appreciated that the whole book wasn't spent in the vacation get-away; it was really nice to see the characters in both the vacation/relaxed setting and then in the real world. It gave them each new depth and seeing them interact with the other people in their lives added even more to their stories.

My heart really went out to each of them and while they made some pretty frustrating decisions, they at least had people in their lives to set them straight and be the voice of reason that I wanted to be as the reader! They really just needed to sit down and have an honest conversation without stopping each other, and all of the stress could have be avoided! Most of the issues came from places of fear and assumptions, and it was refreshing to read a story with a balance between the two main characters, neither of whom are "perfect". It was just enough drama to keep the story going without becoming too much. It really should have been called Accidental Omissions!

This was the first book by Dana Mason I've read, and I already bought Accidental Groom and can't wait for any book that comes next!

Was this review helpful?

Such a sweet and beautiful love story. I could not put it down. Storyline moved along at a good pace, god character development. Loved Emily and Drew so much!

Was this review helpful?

This was a really quick read. Still a good one. The writing was good and can be read as a standalone. It was a little predictable but it's still a sweet love story.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Glad this could be read as a standalone as I had not read book book 1. Accidental Lies starts in Maui, where Drew meets Emily as she is locked out of her room. As their relationship progresses in Maui, Emily has 2 rules...no talking about their life and this is a vacation fling. Accidental Lies is a story of pain, trust, truth and love. Will go back and read Accidental Groom to learn Mac’s story.

Was this review helpful?

I normally don't read this genre very often, but when I read the blurb of the first book in this series, I gave it a go.

'Why?' I hear you thinking. Well, that's easy to explain. Often this sexy genre is about a rich man and a poor girl and the story between the sex scenes is often lacking in substance. It's more like a fairytale with hot scenes.

This books however tells the story of real people and the sizzeling scenes are what normal everyday people who love each other do. In other stories the author leaves everything unsaid. Here the author shares the action with us.

So after reading the first book, I was utterly charmed by the author's style and of course I was looking forward to read Emily's story after thoroughly enjoying her brother's story in book 1.

The sex scenes are never vulgar. The author simply writes very emotional stories doused with Pop Rocks. 

The bottom line is : always be honest even if it's the toughest thing you have to do! 5 stars.

Thank you, Dana Mason, Bookouture and Netgalley.

Was this review helpful?